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The Noise Beneath the Apple: Limited Edition Coffee Table Book Celebrates the Grand Tradition of Busking in New York City

Written by Heather Jacks and accompanied by an eleven-track vinyl record featuring the original music of a select number of participants, this 200-page art-style coffee table book measures 12’’ x 12’’ and weighs in at a whopping 8lbs. Putting the spotlight on an age-old profession, Jacks also seeks to stem the tide of regulation intended to suffocate creative expression and take performers off the streets.

San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2014 -- Over three years ago, Heather Jacks began a project dedicated to bringing attention to the profession of busking, a tradition that pre-dates written history. Before long, the grassroots effort swelled, and The Noise Beneath the Apple® was born.

A limited-edition coffee table book, ‘The Noise Beneath the Apple®’, is a unique and vibrant study of the culture of street performance, its legitimacy in modern times and above all, an intimate look at thirty-five buskers throughout New York City. Released with an eleven-track vinyl record that was mastered by Grammy and Academy Award winning mastering engineer Reuben Cohen, this book is a singular achievement and a one-of-a-kind tribute to the chaotic, beautiful and spirited world of busking.

“Many people don’t truly understand what busking is, which leads to misconceptions about how cities should be regulating street performers,” says Jacks. “But when you look back throughout history, you can see its thread – ancient Rome, jesters, minstrels, town criers and even circus performers. It’s a tradition of creative expression that human beings have kept up for millennia and it is vital that we preserve it in its raw and natural state.”

Synopsis:
The Noise Beneath the Apple® is a limited-edition, 200-page deluxe collector's edition art-style book full of high quality photographs and intimate stories from 35 groundbreaking musicians in New York City's underground music scene. The first 15 pages provide a historical and cultural context for busking. The Noise Beneath the Apple® also comes with a very special eleven track vinyl record, which features the original music of a select number of participants. The audio component was mastered by Academy Award winning mastering engineer Reuben Cohen. Only 250 copies of this groundbreaking work were printed. Over three years ago author Heather Jacks set out on a grassroots effort to bring attention to and celebrate the busking musicians in NYC and around the globe. This project began as a series of interviews and profiles that appeared in various music and culture e-zines around the country.

Jacks was moved by the stories and the people who shared this public space. With stories from NYC representing the entire globe, she soon realized that we don't live in a small world but a large room. "As indigenous to New York City as subways, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, those tireless performers known as buskers have become the unsung heroes of the city's underground music scene," said Lee Zimmerman, of No Depression ("Lee's Listening Stack") in advance praise of the book. "The Noise Beneath The Apple® finally gives these dedicated artists their due, turning the spotlight on a talented group of individuals usually hidden in the shadows, both literally and figuratively. For anyone interested in discovering the sounds that encompass the true heart and soul of the city, this is nothing less than an essential archival collection." A percentage of proceeds from the book and recording will go towards The Noise Beneath The Apple®'s arts and journalism scholarship at Brooklyn College.

After spending a year traveling in New York, Jacks realized that her project was more than just a profile of busking and its participants – instead, it was a socially-relevant work that could help to preserve the culture of street performance and legitimize the profession.

“There are myths that surround busking; that they are homeless vagrants, talentless hacks, can’t get a real gig. I wish to help break down the mythology,” says Jacks. “Many of the performers are graduates from the country’s finest institutions; Berklee School of Music, Julliard, SUNY Purchase; many have performed at amazing venues; Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Gardens, Lincoln Center. Most choose to perform on the streets, the largest, most authentic stage there is, devoid of monetary context.”

Since its publication, the book has earned glowing reviews.

“I jumped at the opportunity to review this gorgeous book. The record is filled with eclectic tracks that bring the spirit of these performers of New York City to the grooves of the vinyl as Jack's words and Close's photographs tell their stories. It's this type of book that you will find always displayed on my coffee table for my guests to enjoy - allowing them to get lost in it for hours," The San Francisco Book Review.

Calling the book “a must have for any music lover!” Carrie Biggar wrote: “I have been a lover of music since I was born, have gone to shows, met bands but never have I been a part of something truly magical. The stories in the book, the photographs, the showcased artists really bring your love for music to an entirely new level. The book is not just about busking in NY but about living your dreams and doing what you love for all the right reasons.”

“As luxurious as this book is, it takes no pains in glossing over the honest and truly real experience these musicians offer. The writing is sensitive, the photographs expressive and true. Reading this gives insight to the world as the musicians see and feel it. The fight they face enduring their days doing their best, not for the money or the fame but, really, to give and so, to really live,” wrote Daniel.

“Love this book; the art value alone is worth having, but even more valuable is the intimate look into the performers, their music, and their lives. So much creativity that is not recognized as it deserves, from each of these performers. Also loved the vinyl record, best sound and it's beautiful itself!! If you love music, you need to read and hear this work!” wrote Cindy Nelson.

‘The Noise Beneath the Apple; A Celebration of Busking in New York City’ is available now: http://amzn.to/1cLLpzn

For more information on the book, please visit: www.TNBTA.com

About Heather Jacks
Heather Jacks was raised on an Indian reservation in southeastern Oregon, until age fifteen. Jacks was the first 'experimental exchange student' to Australia with an organization called YFU, Youth for Understanding, where she spent 10.5 months in 1982. Once she returned, she received her B.A. from USF and followed that with two years of study at UC Davis. She has worked in the music industry in various capacities, since the eighties; radio, production, A&R, booking and most recently as a music journalist. Heather has recently completed a multi-media project, inspired by her love for street music, busking and the people who make it.